Take a unique trip back in time to the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Not even in her wildest dreams would Queen Elizabeth have imagined a celebration such as this taking place near the foothills of the Superstition Mountains.

One of the largest events of its kind in the U.S., this special event is a place to revel in the atmosphere of a 16th-century European village. Join in the revelry rain or shine 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from Feb. 1 through March 30. It is at 12601 E. U.S. Highway 60 in Gold Canyon.

The festival’s 50-acre village has 16 stages of nonstop entertainment, music, comedy, falconry, dance, mermaids and acrobatics. Foolish pleasures mix with artisan treasures as you shop, eat, and mingle with a cast of nearly 2,000 colorfully costumed characters, according to a release.

Explore the village marketplace with over 200 storybook shops, studios, and galleries filled with unique arts and crafts, handmade wares, kitchens and pubs, games and people-powered rides.

Kids love the interactive games and people-powered rides: Da Vinci’s Flying Machine, The Slider Joust, Piccolo Pony — a rocking horse bigger than an elephant. There’s the Dragon Climbing Tower, Castle Siege, the Maze, Archery Range and much more.

The live jousting tournaments are one of the festival’s most popular attractions. Armored nights on charging steeds take up their lances and battle for the queen’s honor. Cheer on your favorite armored knight at one of the three daily jousting tournaments in the 5,000-seat arena.

In addition to the revelry, the festival offers food fit for a King. Attend the Pleasure Feast and be treated like a true Royal while you savor five courses of food, ample drynk and enjoy an hour and a half of raucous Renaissance entertainment at its best. The Pleasure Feast at noon and 2:30 p.m. includes admission to the festival and a special-edition Pleasure Feast goblet. Reservations required in advance.

Tickets are available at www.Arizona.RenFestInfo.com or at Bashas’ and Food City throughout the state.